Bodh Gaya to Rajgir and Nalanda
Your options
Ways to make the journey
2 h
The road runs north-east through Gaya's outskirts and rural Bihar, past fields of rice, wheat and mustard depending on the season. It is a quiet drive with little traffic once out of Gaya. Many travellers continue straight to Nalanda, 12 km beyond Rajgir, for an afternoon visit.
Not practical
There is no convenient direct train between Gaya and Rajgir. A car is the practical choice for this short journey.
Worth a stop
- Rural villages of Gaya district
- Gehlaur, where Dashrath Manjhi cut a road through a hill
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long is the drive from Bodh Gaya to Rajgir?
About 2 hours for 75 km. The road passes through Gaya town and then rural south Bihar, with light traffic outside towns. Nalanda is a further 12 km and 25 minutes beyond Rajgir. We usually leave after breakfast to arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon in Rajgir's valley.
Can I visit Rajgir and Nalanda as a day trip from Bodh Gaya?
Yes, though it is a long day: about 4 hours of driving in total, plus Vulture Peak, the ropeway and Nalanda. We prefer two nights in Rajgir, which allows a dawn climb of Vulture Peak and a relaxed morning at Nalanda.
What is Gehlaur known for?
Gehlaur, a short detour from the Bodh Gaya to Rajgir road, is where Dashrath Manjhi, a labourer, spent about 22 years cutting a path through a rocky hill by hand after his wife died for lack of quick access to a doctor. His story is widely known in India.
Is there a train from Gaya to Rajgir?
There is no convenient direct train. Rail routes between Gaya and Rajgir involve changes and long waits. A private car is the practical and quicker option for this 75 km journey. The road passes through villages and fields that give a good picture of rural Bihar.